December 31, 2012

La Maison de l'Aubrac in the 8th: Beef 24/24, 7/7 from his own farm.

5.6 La Maison de l'Aubrac, 37 Rue Marbeuf in the 8th, 01.43.59.05.14, open 24/24, 7/7, thus Christmas Day & Eve, New Year's Day and Eve (which it is today).

But one look at the menu - and 135 E per person - YIKES - oh that's the St Sylvestre price - WHEW -the other is much easier.

Our dining partner today was a well-informed expert who informed us that the place was somewhat ordinary when it opened but a couple of years ago the owner either bought or bought into the farm de Vialars in Aubrac of course, and all the beef comes from it. The case of beef is awesome and the decor sort of like a country inn.

Colette quickly settled on the joue de beef which they were out of but went with the less inspiring quasi de veau and they surprised her by charging for both. Our friend S. and I chose what we'd shared a few years ago at the Bis de Severo - the cotes de boeuf with uninspired potatoes gratin.

We looked longingly but fruitlessly at the dessert tray - appealing but since I was toting the cotes bone home, hardly doable. Instead we finisged our bottle and glass of Syrah and with a 8 year old calva, 3 coffees and one big bottled water ran up a 114.46 E per couple bill.

Go back? I suspect not with Colette anyway but maybe if seized by a 3 AM Christmas Day fit, might just. But the inattentive service and double-billing of Colette'main were turn offs.

Addendum: January 1st, 2013. I returned to get a refund on Colette's 23 E over-charge and got the typical French crap: "Oh that was another Maitre d', come back tmrw," Me "No, no, no, that won"t work, I live in the 18th [making it sound like Mars], either money or a credit card refund will be fine," Him "OK, money."